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First welder / Millermatic® 252

I'm starting school in may and thinking about buying my first welder. So while going to school I can learn on my own welder at home. I am thinking of getting the 252. I would like to buy just one mig welder if I can. But I am not sure if this would be a good all around welder. I will be mostly welding things related to my jeep project ie: motor mounts, suspension, and axle. So i definitely want a welder that can weld more than adequately for me but still be able weld sheet metal.

So is the 252 a good all around welder or is it mostly geared toward thicker material. Or should I get a Dvi or 212 and then later on buy a tig for thicker materials.

Millermatic® 252
Welds material from 22 gauge to 1/2 in thick in a single pass. Highest output in its class.

I used to own a 251 and it was a great machine, more machine than most need at home, I think a 212 would be the way to go, although I think I would check out a Hobart Handler 210 first. Packs a big punch for a small machine, shorter duty cycle but I doubt you'd even notice.

Mig Welder

Another option would be the Passport Plus. We have both the Passport & 252 at work and side by side the passport welds just as good and gives the convenience of being 110v or 220v by just changing the plug end which is a quick change fitting. It's also portable and cheaper. JMO

I started using the 251 in college, and now my students are using the 252, and we love it. it will weld both thin and thick very well, and i cannot see working without it most of the time. Hope it helps.

cool thanks for the advice... thats the way i look at whats the point in buying a MM140 and then 2 years down the road when its way undersized then i will end up buying the 252 anyways so why not just save up and buy one machine. but i was just concerned that maybe you coudnt turn down the 252 enough to weld thin things like sheet metal.

Sundown do you have a link to the gun your talking about, im still learning so i dont completly understand you, i thought you only used spoolguns for aluminum

I would reccomend the millermatic passport plus. it is a realy versitial mechine. it has a internal shielding gas bottle, wich is really good for for taking it to a jobsite and other places where you cant lug around a large cyclender. is also has mvp plugs, wich allows you to connect it to 120 and 230. its ment to be portable it weighs only 50 lbs, that and the mvp plugs along with the internal shielding gas bottle makes it a super portable machine. it will also weld aluminum with the addition of a spoolmate 100 gun. but one of the disadvnatges is that is welds a little less thicker than the millermatic 252 but it costs less. it is a great machine and it would be perfect for what you need to do and more!

Passport / 252

We were one of the first shops to latch on to the new 252 when they came out and we have put about 60 rolls of wire through it completely trouble free. Some body has posted info about the passport that can weld just as good. I guess at the same voltage it can, but the passport can't hold a candle to the 252's power and over all specs. Cost more but also does more!